Superintendent Barry has asked every APS school to make an international connection to reach out and make a difference in the world. Many schools have stepped up to the challenge by involving students in a variety of international projects.

Altura Elementary has established a relationship with a school in Juarez, Mexico. The Altura student council is raising funds for basic school supplies-from paper and pencils to protractors and rulers-to benefit needy students. Altura staff has also asked the community to donate books in Spanish that their children have outgrown or no longer use.

Kenton Elementary (pictured at right) has sponsored a fundraiser for Heifer International, an organization which strives to end hunger and poverty. Heifer International provides livestock, trees, seeds, and training in environmentally-sound agriculture to families in more than 50 countries around the world. Each Kenton grade level set a goal to raise enough money to buy one animal to help a family become self-reliant. In six weeks, the Kenton community raised more than $1,500-far exceeding its goal.

“Our project with Heifer International has been a wonderful way for our students to learn that by working together we can make a difference in the world.”
- Marilyn Telleen, second-grade teacher
Kenton Elementary

At Arkansas Elementary, Dawn McWilliams’ fifth-grade class has been communicating via mail with soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to corresponding with the soldiers, the class has invited returning soldiers to visit them in the classroom. McWilliams plans to continue the letter-writing project with her students next year.

“Our international project allowed students to connect with soldiers all over Iraq and Afghanistan. This has been a great learning experience for my students on many, many levels.”
- Dawn McWilliams, fifth-grade teacher
Arkansas Elementary

Brooke Nicholson’s fifth-grade literacy class at Side Creek Elementary created books about Colorado for students at a school in Zimbabwe. Her students have also written letters to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan and look forward to receiving their responses. “These projects were a wonderful way to connect students with the international community and strengthen their writing skills at the same time,” said Nicholson.

Laredo Elementary students are connecting with pen pals at a school in Nepal-an idea inspired by community members Chris Bauch and Brent Blake. The remote village does not have regular mail service, so Bauch and Blake personally delivered all 118 letters!

Rangeview High School students (pictured at left) raised $1,000 for Project Mercy, a nonprofit development organization which provides education, health care, and development projects for The Yetebon village in Ethiopia. Students sponsored a variety of activities including a benefit concert to raise money for the cause.

Rangeview students also held a toothbrush/toothpaste drive for children in Costa Rica, who lack access to basic hygiene supplies. Students and staff members donated nearly 1,600 items to benefit these children.

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“Incredible is about the only thing I can say when it comes to this toothbrush drive. When I was first talking to the Sophomore Leadership students about doing this, we were expecting a couple hundred items, but we never imagined we would be counting things in the thousands. Thanks you so much for your generosity and support!”
- Chris and Lacey Carpenter
Rangeview High School supporters